Policy Advocacy

CESS believes effective Policy Advocacy is an ethical responsibility and helps to correct the social challenges that hinder the growth of the society.  As a committed Research Organization, we believe that there is a big role to play in the appraisal and implementation of Public Policies in the Education and health arena, to promote an informed, healthy and strong democratic society.  We work to gain access and voice our opinion on the policies through consultations, seminars and recommendations to various Government agencies.  We propose to take up studies which impacts positively in achieving the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

Studies/Projects relating to Policy Research

Major Activities organized towards Policy Advocacy:

CESS has conducted policy analysis and submitted feedback and stakeholders’ consultation report to concerned government agencies on the following-

• Feedback and stakeholders’ consultation report to UGC on the Draft Guidelines on Transformative Reforms for Strengthening Periodic Assessment and Accreditation of all Higher Educational Institutions in India.
• Feedback and Suggestions to IKS division (MoE) on Draft Guidelines for Incorporating IKS in Higher Education Curricula.
• The analysis and recommendations on Draft “UGC (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, 2023” to UGC.
• Feedback and stakeholders’ consultation report to NCERT Draft National Curriculum Framework on School Education.
• A Round-Table Discussion on Draft “National Credit Framework (NCrF)” was conducted on December on 21 2022 and submitted the report to the Committee.
• A Round Table Discussion on Draft “UGC (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) Regulations was conducted 2022” on November 23, 2022 and submitted the report to UGC.
• An Expert Consultation on “Karnataka State Public Higher Education Institutions Bill – 2022” was conducted on July 15, 2022 and submitted report to KSHEC.
• Feedback and suggestions to UGC on Curricular Framework and Credit System for the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (April, 2022).
• Feedback to UGC on the Draft Guidelines for Transforming Higher Education Institutions into Multidisciplinary Institutions (March 2022).
• Feedback and stakeholders’ consultation report to UGC on the draft National Higher Education Qualification Framework (NHEQF)- February 2022.
• Feedback to UGC on draft Institutional Development Plan (IDP) for HEIs (January 2022).
• Feedback and stakeholders’ consultation report to UGC on the Guidelines for Multiple Entry and Exit in Academic Programmes Offered in Higher Education Institutions (August 2021).
• Feedback and stakeholders’ consultation report to UGC on the On Draft UGC - Establishment and Operationalization of Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) Scheme in Higher Education - Regulations, 2021 (May 2021).
• Conducted Stakeholders Consultation Survey on Implementation of NEP 2020 in Karnataka and prepared a policy paper on the same.
• Organized Stakeholders Consultation on draft National Dental Commission 2020 on 27 Feb, 2020 and submitted the feedback and suggestions to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GoI, New Delhi.
• Conducted policy analysis and organised a stakeholders consultation on draft NEP 2019 and submitted the feedback and suggestions to MoE.
• Roundtable discussion on the proposed Higher Education Commission of India Act (2018) was held with Vice-Chancellors and Educational experts on July 4, 2018.
• Convened a Roundtable discussion on Revamping School Curriculum Content of Class I to Class XII on April 21, 2018. The recommendations obtained from the stakeholders were submitted to MHRD and to Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT).

• To strengthen Policy Advocacy, CESS initiated a mega campaign by organizing series of discussions, colloquiums, round table discussions and symposia on Draft National Education Policy 2019 and NEP 2020.

• A Three-Day discussion meet was held on Immediately Implementable Solutions for Educational Reforms in association with Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), and Government of Karnataka at IISc
   
• Seminar on Karnataka State University Act 2009- two-day seminar was held to draw the attention of the government to relook at the Karnataka State University Act 2000. The seminar had sessions on University Concept and Jurisdiction, appointment of Authorities, Composition of University Bodies, and new vistas for the Universities, Affiliation System versus Autonomous Colleges and Inadequacies in KSUA 2000 and New Features.
   
• Organised a series of brainstorm session, in association with Department of Primary and Secondary Education, on Improvisation of Existing SSLC Examination Pattern in the State of Karnataka in different parts of Karnataka (Bangalore, Gulbarga, Mysore and Dharwad) to generate public and expert opinion to improvise assessment pattern of SSLC examination.
   
• Feedback on Draft Regulations of UGC – in response to University Grants Commission’s public notice soliciting feedback/comments from stakeholders to its Draft Regulations, CESS submitted its feedback/comments to the concerned bodies in suggesting UGC to extend the time period for feedback and also to conduct wider stakeholder consultation to reframe the draft regulations.
   
• Roundtable Discussion on Draft UGC (Categorization of Universities for Grant of Graded Autonomy) Regulations- 2017 – on UGC’s public invite to share feedback, CESS conducted a round table discussion to solicit stakeholders’ views on the draft provision relating to classification of universities for granting autonomy like international collaboration, deemed University status and eligibility of candidates seeking Ph.D./M.Phil. degree.
   
• Revamping School Curriculum Content of Class 1 – 12 (NCERT) – On MHRD’s public invite to stakeholders to rationalize school curriculum content of Class 1 to 12 designed by NCERT, CESS convened a Roundtable discussion on Revamping School Curriculum Content of Class I and Class XII. The recommendations obtained from the stakeholders were submitted to MHRD and to Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
   
• Colloquium on Higher Education in the 12th Five Year Plan in association with Karnataka State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) was held at Central College, Bangalore University.
   
• Roundtable discussion on Draft UGC (Categorization Of Universities for Grant of Graded Autonomy) Regulations, 2017 was conducted at RV Teachers’ College.
   
• Roundtable discussion on Revamping School Curriculum Content of Class 1 to Class 12 was held at CESS Office.
   
• Roundtable discussion on the proposed Higher Education Commission of India Act (2018) was held with Vice-Chancellors and Educational experts at Central College, Bangalore University.